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Mini-Festival of Opera – July 31st to August 9th
Toronto…Summer Opera Lyric Theatre continues
its 24 year tradition as the only performance haven for opera
lovers in late summer. Since 1986, Guillermo Silva Marin
has lead aspiring young artists through an intensive 8 week
course of study concentrating on character development in opera
through text and music. These weeks have culminated in a series
of performances showcasing the young artists at the
Robert Gill Theatre, University of Toronto. The only
summer course of its kind in the Greater Toronto Area, alumni
include Frederique Vezina, David Pomeroy, Keith Klassen, Marc
Boucher, Genevieve Levesque, Kristina Szabo, Joseph Kaiser and
Joshua Hopkins.
In the 2009 season, Verdi’s FALSTAFF will be
heard on August 1, 5, 7, & 9 (3pm),
Rossini’s TANCREDI on August 1 (2pm), 4, 6 & 8
(2pm), the double bill of Purcell’s DIDO AND
AENEAS and John Blow’s VENUS AND ADONIS
on July 31, August 2 (3pm), 5 (2pm) & 8. "This
summer’s operas were chosen from three different operatic
traditions in order to increase the young artists’ skills over a
broad stylistic spectrum" said Silva-Marin. Rossini’s opera
semi-seria TANCREDI will be lead by pianist/music director
David Eliakis, Verdi’s FALSTAFF – an example of
high Italian romantic – will be under the direction of
Michael Rose and Kevin Mallon will
guide the casts through the English Baroque tradition of Purcell
and Blow. Silva-Marin continued, noting that "this summer, we
are pleased to add an instrumental component to one of our
presentations – the English Baroque works – and look forward to
the extra excitement that an orchestral colour will bring to our
performances at the intimate and acoustically rewarding Robert
Gill Theatre."
The forty-three SOLT participants for this summer have been
chosen after auditions in Montreal, Ottawa and Toronto and come
from hometowns, conservatories and universities across Canada,
including professionals already in the national and
international arena. Silva-Marin is stage director for all 4
works and guest lecturers include Rosemarie Landry, Catherine
Robbin, John Hess & Dáirine Ní Mheadhra, Marshall Pynkoski,
Bruce Kelly, Stuart Hamilton and Darryl Edwards.
All performances take place at the Robert Gill Theatre,
University of Toronto, 214 College Street (entrance on
St. George). Subscriptions packages for $55 per person
can be purchased up to July 3 at 5pm by calling 416-922-2912.
Single tickets are $25, $20 for students and seniors.
The theatre is air-conditioned, partially wheelchair accessible
and convenient to public parking and transit. All performances
start at 8pm unless otherwise indicated.
For single tickets call 416-978-7986 (Mondays to Fridays 1 to
5pm and evenings/weekends on day of performances) or SOLT Admin
Office: 416-922-2912 (Weekdays 10am to 5pm).
SOLT is generously supported by the Jackman Foundation, Remenyi
House of Music and individual SUMMER PATRONS donations.
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FALSTAFF, TANCREDI, VENUS & ADONIS, DIDO & AENEAS
